"The sand stones had fragments of charcoal on some surfaces but found no recognisable fossils"

The quote by George Mercer Dawson, a prominent Canadian geologist and surveyor of the 19th century, provides insight into geological observations and their ramifications for understanding Earth's history. In this quote, Dawson keeps in mind two crucial observations about sandstone: the presence of charcoal pieces and the absence of recognizable fossils.

Firstly, the reference of "charcoal on some surfaces" recommends that the sandstone encountered had actually been exposed to fire at some point. Charcoal is typically formed through the insufficient combustion of natural product, potentially showing events such as wildfires or volcanic activity that impacted the location where the sandstone was transferred. The presence of charcoal could suggest that the region experienced considerable environmental changes or disruptions during the duration of sediment deposition. This detail provides geologists with hints about the paleoenvironment, as it suggests the existence of plants and atmospheric oxygen at the time the sediment was put down. The event of charcoal, for that reason, forms an important piece of the puzzle in rebuilding past ecological conditions.

Secondly, Dawson's observation that there were "no identifiable fossils" suggests that the sandstone did not protect the remains of living organisms, which is not uncommon. Fossilization is a selective procedure, and particular conditions are required for fossils to form and be maintained. The lack of fossils in this context may show numerous possibilities: the original environment may not have supported much life, or it might indicate that any natural product present was subject to conditions that hindered fossilization, such as high energy environments that would break down remains before they might be preserved.

In general, Dawson's observations prompt a closer investigation into the geological history of the location. The existence of charcoal integrated with the absence of fossils could suggest a landscape formed by fire or considerable sedimentary processes, highlighting the vibrant interactions between the biosphere and geological developments with time. This quote exhibits the kind of comprehensive, observational science that prepares for historic interpretations of Earth's geological and biological development.